Special-needs Crete boy who died remembered as playful and flirtatious

August 03, 2008|By Lolly Bowean, TRIBUNE REPORTER

Although he needed special attention and care, 12-year-old Kevin Johnson brought smiles to his teachers' faces, happiness to his family and warm greetings even to strangers, his family and friends said Friday.

"Sometimes I wonder if God spent extra time creating Kevin," his adoptive niece Camalla L. Robinson said at the Crete boy's funeral. "Even though Kevin was so nice, he was also a big flirt."

Kevin died July 20, two days after he was taken to the hospital, unconscious and not breathing. His death is being investigated by the Crete Police Department. Allegations of abuse by the boy's caretakers are also being investigated by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services.

Kevin's biological brothers and parents gathered with his adoptive family, teachers and friends to remember his life at a funeral service at Monument of Faith Breakthrough World Ministries on the Southwest Side. Kevin's brother described him as playful and full of laughter. His teacher at Balmoral Elementary School remembered him as a happy student who lit up the classroom.

"I want Kevin to know I love him and I miss him so much," said teacher Jennifer McCarthy, as she choked back tears. "For four years, he made my day every day."

McCarthy told Kevin's family that nearly every day the boy would flirt with her by hugging her and telling her she smelled good.

During the emotional service, Kevin's family tried to focus on the boy's good spirit and not the tragic way his life ended. In previous interviews, Kevin's relatives questioned why DCFS acted slowly on complaints of abuse to Kevin and his brothers. They questioned why no one has been arrested.

"It's a bittersweet day because all [Kevin's] brothers are here, but he's not here to see us," said Terence Williams, 27, his biological brother, who grew up in another adoptive family.

"Man, it's hard," he said, staring at the white casket. "Kevin, we love you. We never forgot about you. We just got split up, put here and there, but we never forgot about you."

According to DCFS investigators, on the day Kevin was hospitalized, he had been beaten five times.

When he was a baby, Kevin was adopted by a Crete couple, Ola and Lester Johnson. When they died, another couple took over his care. After his death, Kevin's three brothers and five other children were removed from the caretakers' home.